Bits and pieces in the park

Nice to see the three adult swans swimming happily about, unencumbered by fishing lines, hooks, etc. They seem to be none the worse from their experiences. I just hope that they can stay that way.

Chatted a bit with come responsible fisherpeople sitting by the lake. No barbed hooks, ever, and he had caught and released a bass already. I noted that they were not fishing anywhere near the swans, geese, ducks, etc. To me, the idea of coming but I suppose, if asked, they might feel the same way about walking the dog and looking at birds. So nice that there are accommodations for all interests in Prospect Park!

There was a camera crew in the Park today, from Channel 5. I asked what about. They want some nice park scenery to go with the West Nile Virus story. I remembered I heard on the radio (NPR - where I get most of my news) that there was the first confirmed case this year. So, could Fox 5 be fearmongering about the dangers of Prospect Park? Maye it will encourage the barbed-hook fisherpeople to keep away.

Swan family is happily dining among the duckweed by the boathouse. JJ's going in for a swim didn't bother them at all. And we got a great shot of a caterpillar that jumped onto Ed from a nearby tree - obviously recognizing a friendly spirit. The question is: good caterpillar or bad caterpillar???

Last but not least: a memorial poster for the geese.

Don't know what happened - the pictures were all supposed to be small. Oh well.

Correction on swan rescue(s)

Apparently,. I got a little mixed up in the sequence of events of the last few days. First of all, it was not just the one swan that got tangled by the fishing line. It was FOUR of them. the two new arrivals (or returning swans) and two of the cygnets. While Ed and Oleg and Anne did rescue Ziggy, who was caught in the phragmites by the fishing line, the other swan was rescued by Martin of the Prospect Park Alliance. Remember I said that he had gone in a boat to try to get Ziggy to rescue him? Well, he went out again the next day and rescued the other swan, who was also caught in the fishing line. The cygnets were caught and rescued by Ed and Ann, as far as I know.

I know this sounds confusing, but it's great that so many people are making the effort to keep our beautiful swans safe and sound. It is kind of horrible that there is so much stray fishing line around the lake. Are the containers being used? Are they ever emptied?

The two large swans were caught with barbed hooks, which are apparently illegal (who knew?) Really, if fishing is allowed in the park, and I know that it is popular, more must be done to ensure that it is done without killing all the other wildlife. I know there are a lot of responsible fisherpeople. They don't use barbed hooks, throw the line sideways instead of overhead, and catch and release. But what about the irresponsible ones? Maybe more publicity about what is legal and illegal, and some enforcement of illegal procedures. The city could certainly use the money from the fines that might be levied.

The picture is Anne holding the barbed hook removed from one of the swans. It's not such a great picture of Anne (sorry about that) but a great one of the barbed hook.

If I have any of this wrong, please, please, please correct the sequence of events. I do like to be accurate, but I can't see everything firsthand.